Three Police Forces Waylay Armed SO Teen

A South Orange teen toting stolen weapons was arrested early this morning on Prospect Street after leading local police departments on a foot chase.

Maplewood, South Orange and Millburn police began pursuing the 16-year-old near Wyoming Avenue at around 11 p.m. and finally caught up with him across town at Prospect Street — with the aid of a K9 unit — near 1 a.m. when he was arrested.

At approximately 11:05 p.m. the Maplewood Police received information from the New Providence Police Department that a suspect from a burglary that occurred earlier in the day in their town was in the area of Wyoming Avenue in Maplewood.

New Providence Police also indicated that the burglary suspect was believed to be in possession of several firearms that were taken during the burglary. 

Malewood police patrols were dispatched to the area, and Sgt. David Cross saw the teenager walking in the area of New England Road.  As Cross approached the boy, he ran down a driveway and into the backyards of the houses near New England Road.

With the assistance of Millburn and South Orange Police, officers were able to establish a perimeter in the area and began a search. Neighbors in the area tell Patch there was a large police presence in the area last night.

Detective T. Brown of the Essex County Sheriff’s Department, along with his canine partner Mac, were able to obtain a scent from a backpack that was dropped by the suspect and a track was initiated. 

The 16-year-old was eventually located in the area of Prospect Street in South Orange at 12:50 a.m. and placed under arrest. Because he is a juvenile, his name is not being released.

Recovered from the dropped backpack was an UZI-style pellet gun with a magazine, several rounds of .45 caliber ammunition, rounds of 12 gauge shotgun shells, and some personal items reported stolen in the New Providence incident. Police note that the pellet gun was not a real UZI.

The South Orange teen was charged by Maplewood Police with one count each of Possession of a Firearm, Possession of a Firearm for Unlawful Purposes; three counts of Receiving Stolen Property; and Resisting Arrest. 

He was later turned over to New Providence Police where he is expected to receive further charges related to the burglary. New Providence Detectives indicated that all the missing firearms taken during the burglary were recovered, including the items found by Maplewood officers.